Another top-flight tight end wants a new deal. This time it’s Vernon Davis.
Davis is skipping San Francisco 49ers organized team activities in an attempt to receive a new contract, according to Comcast Sports Net Bay Area. Davis has two years remaining on his current contract, which he signed prior to the 2010 season, but is set on skipping voluntary workouts because of “dissatisfaction.”
Tight end Vernon Davis, one of only two 49ers players not participating in the team’s voluntary offseason workout program, is apparently hoping to leverage his high-profile absence into a new contract.
Davis, who has two years remaining on a lucrative deal he signed before the 2010 season opener, is remaining away from the 49ers’ organized workout program due to dissatisfaction with his contract, a source indicated to CSNBayArea.com.
Neither Davis nor his agent, Todd France, responded to requests for comment, and Niners head coach Jim Harbaugh said Davis’ absence from workouts were because they were voluntary. However, Davis makes $200,000 annually for showing up to team workouts.
Niners’ mandatory minicamp is scheduled for June 17, and players that do not attend are subject to fines upwards of $60,000, per the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement.
Davis has two years left on the $42.705 million contract extension he signed four years ago. He is set to earn $5.3 million in 2014 and $4.95 million in 2015 in salary and bonuses. His annual salary ranks as the third richest among tight ends, behind New England Patriots’ Rob Gronkowski ($8 million) and Dallas Cowboys’ Jason Witten ($7.4 million).
But Davis is coming off one of his most productive seasons in San Fran, and he wants to cash in …now.
Last season, Davis hauled in 52 passes for 850 yards and 13 touchdowns, becoming the first tight end in NFL history to register two seasons with a dozen or more touchdown receptions in a single season. He had 13 touchdown catches back in 2009 as well.
Davis’ request for a new deal comes at a time when the organization will also try to lock up quarterback Colin Kaepernick, wide receiver Michael Crabtree, offensive guard Mike Iupati and possibly even linebacker Aldon Smith to long-term deals.
